Michigan

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced more than $313 million in funding to connect rural residents, farmers and business owners in 18 states to reliable high-speed internet.

The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) is taking a significant step toward bridging the digital divide by announcing the release of the draft Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) eligible location information to prepare internet service providers, communities and others interested in the program for the application period that will launch Jan. 9, 2025. Providing access to affordable high-speed internet will benefit more Michiganders with online learning, healthcare and economic opportunities.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau announced that certain Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) census block groups (CBG) are now eligible for other funding programs.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), home to the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI), is directed under state law to operate a broadband grant program consistent with the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. The Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) Program is designed to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure to locations currently without 100/20 megabits per second (Mbps) service.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) and the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) celebrated investments that connected more than 10,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet thanks to Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) funding. Providing access to affordable high-speed internet will benefit more Michiganders with online learning, healthcare and economic opportunities. MIHI is working to create a more digitally equitable Michigan where everyone can leverage technology to improve their quality of life.

Mercury Broadband filed letters notifying the Federal Communications Commission that the company is returning census block groups (CBGs) awarded funding in Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Mercury said deployment costs have increased dramatically since Mercury made its bids in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction and factors outside of its control, including rising costs and competitive encroachment, have rendered deployment to many of these RDOF CBGs economically unviable and ultimately unachievable.

Merit Network and Michigan State University have completed the MOON-Light initiative, a multi-million-dollar project funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Broadband Infrastructure Program. This effort established Michigan’s Open Optical Network, addressing critical infrastructure gaps by deploying middle-mile fiber optic technology across 74 counties. By connecting local internet service providers (ISPs), MOON-Light brings affordable, high-speed broadband to underserved areas, benefiting over 28,000 homes.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Michigan’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. This approval enables Michigan to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program. Michigan was allocated over $1.5 billion to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service.  

Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 440 homes and small businesses in Midland County (MI). Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout will serve residents and businesses in portions of Geneva, Greendale and Jasper Townships.

Spectrum launched Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 660 homes and small businesses in Leelanau County (MI). Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout to residents and businesses in portions of Cleveland, Glenn Arbor, Empire, and Kasson Townships. “Bringing high-speed connectivity to Northern Michigan families remains a top priority for me,” said Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI).